PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY'S ATTITUDE

Evening Post, Volume XCII, Issue 138, 8 December 1916, Page 5

PRESBYTERIAN ASSEMBLY'S ATTITUDE

A TBULY PATRIOTIC SPIRIT.

. Appreciation of the patriotic spirit shown by the Presbyterian General Assembly recently when it dealt with the question of appealing on behalf of ministers or home missionaries called up under the ballot is contained in a letter from the Minister of Defence (Hon. J. Allen) received by the clerk of the Assembly in acknowledgment of. receipt of the resolution. The letter states :

"I entirely agree with you that the minute speaks for itself, and, to my mind, it evidences a truly patriotic spirit, whilst at the same time if recognises tlie all-important duties of the clergy in this difficult period of the nation's history. The reading of the minute has been a great assistance to me, and I desire you to assure the members of the General Assembly that I have read it with great interest, and feel proud that such a spirit prevails in the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand.

"Every assistance will be given by tlie Defence Department to have the appeals favourably considered, which may be sent in by the committees about to be constituted, and I should be glad if the conveners of the committees who may sit to decide whether appeals should be lodged would send a notification to the Hon. Minister of Munitions and Supplies, who is administering that portion of the Act which deals with the work of the Military Service Boards. On receipt of such notification I have no doubt that the Minister of Muni.tions will make . use of Regulation 9, published in the New Zealand Gazette on 10th October, a copy of which I have pleasure in enclosing."